Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

Lord Beaumont of Whitley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, when appointing members to the Northern Ireland Equality Commission, they took into account the importance of representation of sexual orientation minorities as required by Section 75(1)(a) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Baroness Amos: In line with the Commissioner for Public Appointment's guidance, appointments to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland are made on merit. Section 75(1)(a) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires the Secretary of State to "have due regard to need to promote equality of opportunity between persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation". In making appointments to the Equality Commission, Section 68(3) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires him to "as far as practicable secure that the Commissioners, as a group, are representative of the community in Northern Ireland". The Secretary of State took both of these duties into account when making appointments to the Equality Commission. It is important to note that this does not compel the Secretary of State to appoint people on the basis of any category to which they may belong.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will ensure that any new appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission are on a quota basis reflecting the Northern Ireland community.

Baroness Amos: In line with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' guidance, appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will be made on merit. In addition, the Secretary of State will have regard to Section 68(3) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 which requires him to "as far as practicable secure that the Commissioners, as a group, are representative of the community in Northern Ireland".

Attorney-General

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they propose to reform the office of the Attorney-General.

Baroness Amos: The Government have no plans to do so.

Youth Sport Trust: Chief Executive

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there is any potential conflict of interest in the adviser to the Secretaries of State for Education and Skills and for Culture, Media and Sport also being employed as the chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: No.

Armed Forces: Cannabis Testing

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many servicemen or women have tested positive for cannabis over the last year in (a) the Royal Navy; (b) the Army; and (c) the Royal Air Force.

Lord Bach: The number of service personnel who have tested positive for cannabis in each of the three services last year is as follows:
	
		
			 Year The Naval Service The Army The RAF 
			 2003 23 288 16 
		
	
	The above figures include multiple positive results where personnel tested positive for cannabis as well as other illegal drugs.

Nuclear Submarine Personnel: Health Monitoring

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State (Armed Forces) on 15 October 2003 (HC Deb, 244W) that "IPM-7 type detectors are not suitable for use onboard submarines due to space constraints", whether it is the case that alternative procedures are in place on all United Kingdom naval bases to ensure all personnel are monitored for contamination on completion of their work with nuclear submarines before going ashore.

Lord Bach: On board nuclear submarines, trained personnel carry out thorough monitoring of areas where workers may become contaminated and, in addition, workers themselves are monitored before they are permitted to leave the submarine. This monitoring is precautionary as work procedures and protective clothing are designed to minimise the chance of becoming contaminated.

Nuclear Submarine Personnel: Health Monitoring

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What monitoring programme is mandatory after the retirement of personnel who have worked on or with nuclear submarines; and what optional health screening is offered to retired personnel.

Lord Bach: There is no mandatory requirement for a monitoring programme for retired personnel who have worked on or with nuclear submarines and no optional health screening is offered to retired personnel.
	However, the Ministry of Defence does provide an independent counselling service for radiation workers, former radiation workers and their families who have concerns about their health as a result of their work with radiation. Individuals may request counselling by telephoning the counselling telephone line (02392 768098) and leaving their names and addresses or by writing to the MoD Counselling Registry at DSTL Radiological Protection Services, Crescent Road, Alverstoke, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 2DL. Further details are available on the world-wide web at http://www.mod.uk/dsef/hp/rwc.htm.

Afghanistan: NATO Presence

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have received from the NATO Secretary-General regarding the expansion of NATO military presence in Afghanistan.

Lord Bach: NATO has consulted the United Kingdom, and all other allies, as it has developed plans for the expansion of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. In addition, my right honourable friends the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Secretary of State for Defence all met the NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on 12 February 2004; their discussions included Afghanistan.

Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill: Guaranteed Income Streams

Baroness Strange: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why, in the Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill, the guaranteed income stream for war widows is to be taxed when the guaranteed income stream for disabled personnel is tax free.

Lord Bach: The Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill is enabling legislation and does not, therefore, contain details of the new pension and compensation arrangements for the Armed Forces, which will be set out by order in statutory instruments. However, the details of the schemes have been provided to the Libraries of both Houses as framework documents.
	All benefits paid under the new Armed Forces compensation scheme to former members of the Armed Forces will be tax-free, in the same way as for attributable benefits under the current Armed Forces pension scheme and the war pension scheme.
	Again in line with the current Armed Forces pension scheme attributable benefits paid to dependants under the new compensation scheme, including those for widows, will be taxable where provided in the form of regular payments. This is because the benefits when paid to the service person are regarded as compensation for injury, but when paid to a dependant are considered as income. The taxable nature of the widow(er)'s guaranteed income stream (WGIS) has been taken into account in setting the level of benefits in the new compensation arrangements.

Pensions: Post Office Payments

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What advice is being given by the Pension Service to senior citizens who want their pension entitlement paid through the Post Office; and
	Why pensioners who have requested pension payment through the Post Office are being sent a further letter from the Pension Service asking them to discuss other options for payment.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: All customers can continue to receive their payments at the Post Office with all of the account options. This includes current accounts and basic bank accounts from some banks and building societies, and the Post Office card account. 90 per cent of pensioners already have an account suitable for direct payment.
	Customers are being provided with all the information they need on all of their 'account options', including which accounts can be used at Post Office branches. It is up to the customers themselves to decide which type of account they wish to have their money paid into. Customers will need to look at all of the features of the different options and choose an account to suit their individual needs and circumstances.
	All staff, including front line, call centre and information-line staff, have been provided with information on all of the account options available to the customer. Customers requesting a Post Office card account are issued with a letter asking them to contact the department, as this forms part of the safeguards implemented to ensure that only benefit and pensions customers can open a Post Office card account. When customers do they are reminded of all their account options, including all of those which can be accessed at post offices.

Listed Buildings: Alterations

Lord Monson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 5 February (WA 116), how they reconcile the principle of respect for private and family life and the home, guaranteed by Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, with the current power of government to determine the interior layout of private dwelling houses which have not received state subsidies or tax concessions.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Buildings are listed because they are of special architectural or historic interest. Listed building legislation provides that listed building consent must be obtained before carrying out work to a listed building which will affect its character as a building of architectural or historic interest. This will entitle local authorities to "determine the interior layout of a private dwelling house" only where the layout of the interior is part of the character of a listed building.
	This legislation is compatible with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Article 8 gives people the right to respect for their private and family life, their home and their correspondence. The Government consider that the restrictions on carrying out works to listed buildings do not interfere with this right to any significant degree and so do not engage Article 8.
	If, however, Article 8 is engaged by the listing system, it is justified on the grounds that the system protects our historic buildings, and protects the rights of the general public and of future generations to enjoy the nation's heritage. The system which requires listed building consent before alterations affecting the character of a listed building is proportionate to achieve these aims.

Olympic Games 2012: London Bid

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In view of the statement in the London Olympic bid that "some of the more than £17 billion being invested in London's transport before 2012 will have a direct impact on games traffic", whether they will provide a breakdown of the projects and expenditure proposed.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the projects and expenditure proposed. This sum relates to the amount of public funding allocated for London Transport in the 10-Year Transport Plan progress report, Delivering Better Transport, published in December 2002. The 10-Year Plan allocates some £18.8 billion for London transport between 2004–05 and 2010–11. The Mayor of London has considerable discretion to spend his budget on his transport policies and proposals in keeping with his transport strategy under the Greater London Authority Act 1999.

Olympic Games 2012: London Bid

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What rail freight facilities in the Stratford, East London area are required on a temporary or permanent basis for the London Olympics; what consultation took place with the industry and customers before the bid was submitted; and what commitment was made to find acceptable alternative facilities.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The transport input to London's Olympic bid is in the development stage and how passenger and freight services operate during games is a matter for further development and negotiation.
	The area of the Olympic Park in the Lower Lea Valley is covered by the Olympic master planning application, which was submitted to the four relevant London planning authorities on 30 January by the London Development Agency. The planning application proposes that the waste and aggregates rail heads at Bow Midland Yard be relocated for the duration of the games.
	There was wide-ranging consultation on the masterplan before it was submitted, and it is now going through the statutory consultation period. In particular, the London Development Agency has been working closely with the Strategic Rail Authority on rail issues affected by the plan, including freight.

Olympic Games 2012: London Bid

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assurances were given in connection with the London Olympic bid about restricting the movement of freight trains in the Stratford area, or restricting air traffic approaching Heathrow Airport or London City Airport for the duration of the Olympic Games in 2012.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: None. The transport input to London's Olympic bid is in the development stage, and how passenger and freight services operate during the 16 days of the games is a matter for further development and negotiation.
	The pre-qualification questionnaire submitted by London 2012 identified Heathrow as the gateway airport for the Olympics. Security will be of paramount importance for the Olympics but security requirements cannot be second-guessed at this stage.

Business Regulation

Baroness Miller of Hendon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 11 February (HL Deb, col. 1100), whether the calculation that business regulation has grown by 53 per cent between 1998 and 2002 is incorrect; and if so, what is the correct figure.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The percentage growth figure appears to relate to the total number of statutory instruments in the period. In fact the vast majority of these had minimal or no substantial effect on business. Analysis of statutory instruments in 2003 showed that over 90 per cent had little or no substantial impact on business with about 39 per cent relating to temporary road closures or air navigation orders.
	It is difficult to assess the level of business regulation other than through international comparisons. The World Bank's Doing Business in 2004 (published in October 2003) named the UK among 10 countries out of 130 with the least regulation.

Business Regulation

Baroness Miller of Hendon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they can provide a figure for the growth of business regulation between 1998 and 2002; and, if not, why not.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: It is difficult to assess the level of business regulation other than through international comparisons. The World Bank's Doing Business in 2004 (published in October 2003) named the UK among 10 countries out of 130 with the least regulation.

Small Businesses

Baroness Miller of Hendon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 11 February (HL Deb, col. 1100), whether they consider that small businesses in the United Kingdom have faced any additional burden in (a) taxation and (b) regulation since 1997; and, if so, how they expect such business to overcome those burdens.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: On the contrary, the Government have abolished or cut the corporation tax bill for around 500,000 small firms and since April 2003 firms with turnovers of £56,000 or less have not had to register for, or pay, VAT. Increasing the audit exemption thresholds, which will take effect in relation to financial years ending on or after 30 March 2004, is expected to exempt 69,000 more companies from the requirement to have their accounts audited and is expected to save companies at least £94 million a year.
	We regulate only when it is both necessary and desirable, for example, to ensure fairness at work, better health and safety or a cleaner environment. Indeed the World Bank's Doing Business in 2004 (published in October 2003) named the UK among 10 countries out of 130 with the least regulation.

Businesses: Bribery and Corruption

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their policy regarding the prosecution of British companies which use bribery or other improper financial inducements to obtain foreign business opportunities or benefits; and what guidance they have given to British companies on the subject.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: We condemn involvement in corrupt practices. Since 2002, UK officials have held presentations and seminars for UK companies on UK bribery and corruption issues in several locations in the UK and overseas. Guidance for UK companies is available from a number of sources including the FCO, DTI and UK trade and investment websites. A copy of a joint FCO/UKTI leaflet with the title Bribery and Corruption Law is already available in the Library of the House. The decision to prosecute rests with the Crown Prosecution Service in accordance with the tests outlined within the code for Crown Prosecutors.

Businesses: Bribery and Corruption

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are satisfied that British companies have not during the past two years used bribery or other improper financial inducements to obtain foreign business opportunities or benefits.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The UK took extraterritorial jurisdiction on bribery offences on 14 February 2002. Since then, I can confirm that the law enforcement authorities have received a number of allegations and have instigated two investigations.

Electricity Generation: Scotland

The Duke of Montrose: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the extra electrical transmissions capacity needed from major outlying electricity generators in Scotland to the main areas of demand, and the possible cost in the short and long term.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The DTI's Transmission Issues Working Group has reviewed the location of future generation and the reinforcements required. The first stage of the work required, the Beauly to Denny upgrade, was recently announced by Scottish & Southern, and will be submitted for consents in the autumn. This 220 km upgrade, costing approximately £200 million, is expected to allow an extra 1 GW of renewables to be connected in Northern Scotland, and should be available by 2007–08. The overall cost in Scotland to connect an extra 6 GW of generation was estimated at £1.5 billion.

Deafblind People: Local Authority Services

Lord Ashley of Stoke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many local authorities have responded to the 2001 guidance on the services given to deafblind people; and which authorities have done so; and
	Whether they have monitored the performance of local authorities regarding the guidance from the Department of Health on the services which deafblind people are entitled to receive; and what were the results; and
	How many local authorities have agreed the Department of Health guidelines about the services deafblind people are entitled to receive; and which authorities have done so; and
	What is their assessment of the improvement of services to deafblind people arising from Department of Health guidance in 2001; and
	Whether they intend to give further guidance to local authorities following their guidelines on services to deafblind people in 2001.

Lord Warner: Since the Department of Health issued guidance in 2001 on social services for deafblind children and adults, the Social Services Inspectorate has been monitoring local authorities' performance through its delivery and improvement statements. We are not able to provide detailed comparisons with previous years but the statements for autumn 2003 show that the general quality of service has improved since 2001. We recognise that there is still room for improvement. We hope to see further improvements during 2004. We currently have no plans to issue further guidance.

Hepatitis C

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answer by the Lord Warner on 5 February (HL Deb, col. 802), why they have decided to treat the widows of National Health Service patients infected with hepatitis C less favourably than the widows of those infected with HIV by excluding them from the ex gratia payments scheme for hepatitis C infection, to be administered, like that for HIV infection, by the Macfarlane Trust.

Lord Warner: The recently announced hepatitis C ex gratia payment scheme will be administered by a new independent operation that will be called the Skipton Fund. Although the management of the fund will be associated with that of the Macfarlane Trust, the schemes are distinct and have been established for different purposes.
	The underlying principle behind the Skipton Fund is to help alleviate the suffering of people living with inadvertent hepatitis C infection. That is where the money available has been concentrated. These payments are not compensation for bereavement, although we recognise the pain and hardship suffered by widows and families.

Skin Cancer

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What sun awareness and skin cancer prevention campaigns they will fund in 2004; and
	What action they plan to take over the next five years to reduce the incidence of malignant melanomas in the United Kingdom; and
	Whether they will commit to providing long-term funding for skin cancer prevention campaigns.

Lord Warner: The SunSmart campaign was launched in March 2003, funded by the United Kingdom health departments and run by Cancer Research UK. The campaign has received funding of £50,000 this year from the United Kingdom health departments. Decisions on further funding for SunSmart will be made in due course.
	Many skin cancers, including malignant melanomas, take many years to develop and show clinically, in some cases up to 20 years. Therefore, the current incidence reflected many years ago, and incidence in the immediate years, will be reflected in years to come. The new SunSmart campaign, along with other Department of Health initiatives, aims to reduce unsafe exposure to the sun over the coming years. Examples are the continued funding of the National Radiological Protection Board, which has expertise on ultra-violet radiation issues relevant to the public health aspects of the prevention of skin cancer and also funding of the ultra-violet index in the media (TV, radio, Meteorological Office website). The successful campaign in Australia on which SunSmart is based produced demonstrable health benefits some 20 years after the campaign began.

Salt Content of Food

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to ensure that health warnings are given on the packaging of foodstuffs containing salt.

Lord Warner: Current European Union food labelling rules do not require pre-packaged foods containing salt to carry health warnings and there are no proposals to introduce such a requirement. Information on sodium (not salt) content is only required when certain nutrition claims are made.
	The Food Standards Agency encourages voluntary provision of salt content information, and is pressing for European Union rules to require compulsory nutrition labelling, including the declaration of salt content, on all pre-packaged foods, in a format that is consumer friendly. This would enable consumers to make informed choices about the foods they buy. The agency is also considering the case for front of pack signposting to help consumers identify healthier options; any such scheme would be likely to take account of fat, sugar and salt content.

Nutrition

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the forthcoming White Paper on public health will set specific targets for reduction in overweight and obesity; and whether its preparation will involve those with expert knowledge of the advice given to consume high carbohydrate foods.

Lord Warner: The Government are launching their major consultation on public health this month.
	The consultation will enable a wide range of stakeholders to contribute to the debate on overweight and obesity. The consultation will also take account of the recommendations from Derek Wanless's recent report, Securing Good Health for the Whole Population.
	The Government will draw up their White Paper in the light of the consultation.

Chechen Information Centre, Warsaw

Lord Russell-Johnston: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the withdrawal by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe of accreditation of the Chechen Information Centre in Warsaw, as a non-governmental organisation.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is currently awaiting the result of an investigation into claims made against the Chechen Information Centre. The OSCE cannot accredit any non-governmental organisations that "resort to the use of violence or publicly condone terrorism or the use of violence" (Helsinki Document 1992, Chapter 4).

Sudan: Darfur Province

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will call the attention of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the allegations made in the film broadcast on Channel 4 on 18 February of attacks by Sudanese armed forces on civilians in Darfur; and whether they will ask the High Commissioner to send a special representative to the region, if necessary without the approval of the authorities in Khartoum, to interview eyewitnesses and record evidence of ethnic cleansing.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We are in close contact with the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) in Khartoum, and we support its work financially. The acting High Commissioner is well aware of the issues raised in the Channel 4 report. Indeed he issued a statement on the situation in Darfur on 29 January, a copy of which is available on the UNHCHR website (www.unhchr.ch/huricane).
	On 25 February the EU issued a statement appealing to all the parties to ensure protection of the civilian population and to allow for unhindered humanitarian access for the population in need, and expressing alarm at reports that Janjaweed militias continue to systematically target civilians. The EU strongly condemns the attacks and calls upon the Government of Sudan to put an end to Janjaweed atrocities. The EU also calls on the Government of Sudan to investigate thoroughly the attacks carried out and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Sudan: Darfur Province

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will call the attention of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to alleged crimes against humanity by the Sudanese armed forces in Darfur.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: On 25 February the EU issued a statement on the situation in Darfur calling on the Government of Sudan to investigate thoroughly the attacks carried out and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
	Sudan has signed but not ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The UK is one of the ICC's strongest supporters. We continue to work for an effective court, and to encourage other states to become parties to it.

Sudan: Darfur Province

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, during his forthcoming meeting with President Gaddafi of Libya, the Prime Minister will ask him to use his influence with the Government of Sudan to halt attacks on civilians in Darfur and allow humanitarian agencies unimpeded access to that territory.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have raised the situation in Darfur at the highest levels in Khartoum, and our ambassador discussed the matter with the First Vice-President on 24 February. We are urging the Government of Sudan to negotiate a cease-fire, facilitate humanitarian access to all those in need, and resume talks to find a peaceful solution to Darfur's problems.
	There are as yet no firm plans for a meeting between my right honourable friend the Prime Minister and Colonel Gaddafi.

Small Arms Exports: End-user Certificates

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking via United Kingdom embassies, including Defence Attaches, and otherwise, to gather and collate information on falsified end-user certificates in connection with the illicit supply of small arms, light weapons and ammunition.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Establishing bona fide end-user details provided in support of licence applications is an important element of the UK system of export controls. Where the Government have a suspicion about the authenticity of an end-user certificate, further inquiries are made and these may be carried out through our embassies. Information about falsified end-user certificates is exchanged bilaterally and through international fora such as the EU or UN.
	The UK has an on-going programme of providing assistance to countries that do not have the necessary resources to properly check end-user details.

State Visits

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What state visits are scheduled to take place in 2004.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: There are both outward and inward state visits each year.
	On outward state visits, HM the Queen announced in her gracious Speech at the state opening of Parliament that she is to make a state visit to France on 5–7 April 2004 to mark the official start of events commemorating the centenary of the Entente Cordiale.
	Beyond that the forward programme is not yet finalised.
	On inward state visits, HM the Queen also announced in her gracious Speech at the state opening of Parliament that she looked forward to receiving the President of Poland from 5–7 May 2004.
	Beyond that the forward programme of state visits is not yet finalised.